It's such a beautiful thing
But it doesn't make sense
Without you babe
If I could I would make you love me
If I could I would leave this place
I'm the one who could make you happy
I try so hard but I can't walk away

Nick had really no idea how to go about his plan how does one go about making someone love them and by observing Greg and Ryan Nick found they were closer than he originally thought. Ryan was the problem, and he was pretty sure his friendship with Greg was pretty much over because of his stupid mouth. And Ryan seemed to appear every time he and Greg ended up alone and that alone frustrated the hell out of him. He would make Greg love him, there was no doubt about that, fate brought him back for a reason and that reason was to get the one thing he always wanted, Greg.

Greg sat in the break alone, stirring his coffee but not drinking it. The Elley case had wrapped and it turned out to be the mother who was not a very sane woman. It still haunted him though, that little boy and all that blood. At least he had Ryan to fall back on, but sometimes even Ryan did not seem to understand and he let himself wish it was Nick instead.

"Hey Greg."

"Oh hey Sara." He smiled slightly.

"I heard about your case."

"Yeah."

"I know it's hard, but you got her right?"

"Yeah." He sighed. "We did."

"Then trust the evidence Greg."

"But it does not bring Kenny back."

"Nothing ever does, but knowing the person won't hurt anyone else is satisfying."

"I guess." He shrugged.

"Did you talk to Ryan? Maybe talking will help."

"I did, but he does not understand and he's not even here."

"What happened?"

"He had a family emergency in Miami; he does not know how long he will be gone."

"Well you know where I am at."

"Thanks Sara."

"No problem Greg, it will get better." She said as she kissed his cheek softly.

Nick quickly ducked into the trace as Sara came out of the break room, he had not meant to eavesdrop, but it was the perfect moment. Ryan being gone just made his plan a lot easier.

"Stokes, what the hell are you doing?"

"Keep it down Hodges." Nick hissed.

"Well sorry it's not like this is my lab or anything."

"Just wait one second and I will be out of your hair."

"Fine." He huffed. Nick ignored him as he watched Sara disappear around the corner. Once he was sure she was out of sight he tiptoed out of the trace lab and back to break room. Phase one of his big plan was now under way.

"Hey Greg."

"Oh hey Nick." It was hesitant at the most, since they had not really talked since that night shit hit the fan.

"What's up?"

"I wanted to make sure you ok."

"I'm fine; I mean I can handle it."

"I know you can." Nick sighed. "You did a good job."

"Thanks."

"I mean it, you're a good CSI don't let anyone tell you otherwise." Greg looked up at Nick and smiled slightly, and if there was one thing Nick loved was Greg's smiles.

He took a deep breath as he walked up to Greg's apartment, he was not even sure if he was welcome anymore, but Ryan was not there and he had to try.

"Nick…hi."

"I uh… well it's Thursday."

"Nick I…"

"It's ok Greg I did not mean…well I meant what I said but I respect your decision and I still want us to be friends."

"I do too." Nick felt a weight removed, glad that he and Greg could rebuild their friendship and if Nick had it his way they'd be something more. "So what movie?"

"I thought we'd go 80s, I brought Weird Science."

"Man, I have not seen that in years."

"Me either and I just found it."

"I tried it once you know."

"What? Try to make a woman?"

"Yeah, I was twelve I stole one of my little sister's barbies."

"What happened?"

"I set fire to my room." He grinned. "Mom grounded me for a month and the worst part was I had to sleep on the floor in my little sister's room and spend my allowance money to buy her a new Barbie."

"That sucks." Nick laughed.

"Yeah, my dad was out of town when it happened, but when he got home man did I hear it."

"I bet." Nick felt like they were back to where they used to be, good friends. But sitting so close to Greg was hard to do when all he wanted to do was kiss him senseless. Only Nick was in control of himself, he had to if wanted his plan to work. He could make no moves on Greg, at least not yet.

Greg pulled his knees to his chest as he sat in the middle of his bed. Nick had just left and he found himself falling once again for the Texan. Greg didn't think they'd ever be able to get what they had back, but they did and somehow Greg was left wanting more. He was so confused, Nick was out of the picture now and Ryan was in it. And Ryan really was a great guy, but in the back of his mind he still wanted Nick, but he would not give into temptation because he would not hurt Ryan. "You always find a way to pull right back in Nick." He whispered to nothing. "Every damn time." The ringing of his phone brought him out of his reverie; he smiled slightly when he saw the caller id.

"Hey Ryan."

"Hey babe, I miss you."

"I miss you too, how is everything…." And try as he might he would not think about Nick as he talked to his boyfriend several thousand miles away.

Phase two, Nick grinned as he clutched the concert tickets in his hand. Never in a million years did ever think he would go this type of concert, but seeing Greg dressed like that was worth it. It was brilliant the way it happened actually, he found eavesdropping helped his plan along and when he heard Greg complaining to Sara that the Marilyn Manson concert had sold out and that's when Nick got his idea. Sure he had to pay and arm and leg on Ebay to get the tickets but when he handed them over to Greg and he saw that smile he loved so much the money did not matter anymore. But he was not prepared to see Greg looking like sex on legs. He was very pleases with himself that he did not faint on the spot when he saw Greg walk out of his apartment, and now he was finding it very hard to not just jump Greg on the spot.

"Nick I still can't believe you came to this type of concert."

"It might not be my cup of tea Greg, but I can have fun." He smiled and tried so hard not to just lean closer and just kiss Greg right there at a scary goth concert.

"These tickets must have cost you so much."

"They did." He paused and looked into Greg's eyes. "But it was all worth it." Greg stared at him, no words forming and he just looked away from Nick back to the stage area. Nick sighed, maybe this wasn't a place, and you can't really seduce someone when he could not even hear himself think. He watched Greg though, singing all the words and moshing with the crowd and to Nick he never looked more beautiful.

"I really appreciate you taking me to this concert Nick."

"Hey I even had fun and you know me I'm a country bumpkin at heart."

"I know." Greg laughed. They were silent for a moment as they stood on the walk that led to Greg's apartment. "Well I guess it's goodnight then."

"Yeah goodnight Greg." Nick watched him go and then turned back to his car; this was harder than he thought.

Greg walked into his apartment and then slid down backside of the door and let out a heavy sigh. Why did Nick have to do this to him? Show him how amazing he really was and make it very difficult to remain true to Ryan. Never in a million years did he ever think he would see Nick Stokes at a Marilyn Manson concert, but when he showed up with the tickets Greg was made a believer. And he almost gave in, gave into what his heart said was right, but then he thought of Ryan in Miami and he stopped himself. He would not cave; he would not give in even if it made him miserable.

The next phase of plan had to work, he knew Greg loved to go clubs and Nick knew he had turned down way to many offers to count, but not anymore.

"Hey G, busy tonight?"

"Um…no why?"

"Want to hit that new club Spindle?"

"Nick, the wait it like forever long and you hate clubs."

"My friend Chase is the bartender; he'll get us in no cover.

"Ok, but like I said you hate clubs."

"I do, but Chase has been bugging me to come and I figure it's something you would like."

"Hell yeah I've been trying to get in there for months."

"Well my friend you have your ticket now."

"Are you sure? You're Nick Stokes; I mean Marilyn Manson and dance clubs? What's next?"

"Just trying new things G." he shrugged. (And making you fall hopelessly in love with me and forget about Ryan Wolfe) he added in his mind. "I'll even pick you up."

"Yeah sure, can't wait."

Greg sighed as he stood in front of his mirror making a few minor adjustments to his hair. He was sure setting himself up for heartache, but Nick was drawing him in and he was finding it hard to resist.

"What are you doing Sanders?" he asked his reflection. "You're looking to get hurt." But he found he really did not care.

Nick swore Greg was trying to kill him with those tight leather pants that showed off his ass perfectly, no he knew Greg was trying to kill him.

"Nick this place is awesome! I love your friend Chase!"

"I'm glad you are enjoying yourself G."

"It's great, but it's time you stop nursing that beer and dance."

"I don't dance."

"Come on, we don't have to dance with each other, just dance."

"Ok, but let me drink a few more beers."

"I'm holding you to it." He went to go back to the dance floor, but Nick grabbed him by the wrist.

"Wait, I drink, you drink."

"Can't complain about that." Greg said as he pulled Nick towards the bar.

Twelve beers later found Nick and Greg in the mass of people just feeling the beat of the music. Nick, being just a little tipsy didn't even complain when Greg pulled him out to the floor. But who could really complain when Greg was grinding his hips liked that and was pressed so close he could feel Greg's breath on him. It was so intoxicating and Nick was finding it hard to resist, Ryan would never know if he just….but his actions ceased as he was pulled away from the crowd and the lights.

"Greg, hey come on I was dancing, like you wanted me to." He slurred.

"I know and I can't take it anymore."

"What?"

"This." He said as he slammed them into the guy's bathroom, hard against the wall their lips crushing together. Nick didn't respond at first, to shocked to even moved but when Greg moaned into the kiss and pushed his hips against his thigh Nick responded and stopped thinking about anything but Greg.

They tumbled through the doors of Nick's apartment still kissing and never losing pace.

"Greg, Greg we….Ryan." Nick gasped as Greg kissed his neck.

"Don't care, want you…now." And then he pushed Nick down on his own couch kissing him again. This was not exactly how Nick wanted his grand master plan to go and he knew in the back of his mind Greg would be regretting this in morning, but at the moment he didn't care at the moment he had Greg and he would make it last as long as he could before it all fell down around him.

It's such a beautiful thing
But it doesn't make sense
Without you babe